Mesothelioma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that lines the diaphragm and lungs. It is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Different types of cancers exist. NSCLC develops in small masses, or tumor nodules. Mesothelioma develops as a network tumor nodules in your pleura.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an uncommon cancerous condition occurs in the thin layer that covers a variety of organs. The cancer is most often located in the lung lining however, it can be found in the abdomen lining or in the heart. It is usually caused by asbestos exposure, and can be difficult to detect by doctors.
As with all cancers mesothelioma starts when abnormal cells receive the wrong information and multiply in a way that is not controlled. This can result in tumors that encircle and hinder vital structures. The cells eventually split and the tumors become malignant. There are currently no screening tests for mesothelioma. However imaging scans, such as X-rays and CT scans can detect the presence of tumors or masses. Doctors can then order an examination for mesothelioma. In the procedure, a small piece of the tumor is removed to test under a microscope.
The type of cancer cells that are found in the tumor as well as its location can be used to identify mesothelioma. There are three major types of mesothelioma that include epithelioid, sarcomatous and the peritoneal. Each mesothelioma type develops differently, which may affect the patient's prognosis.
In addition, the general health of a patient can also have an impact on their mesothelioma prognosis. People who are younger and in good physical condition might have a higher chance of beating the disease. Smokers are at a greater risk.
Mesothelioma prognosis can also be affected by the stage of the mesothelioma, which describes how the cancer has advanced since it first began to develop. The staging system is classified as I-IV with I being the first stage of mesothelioma, and IV being the most advanced.
New research initiatives are being conducted to find ways to diagnose mesothelioma sooner. One method involves measuring the amount of mesothelioma-derived protein released by cancer cells into bloodstreams. This test, referred to as the Mesomark assay, can help identify mesothelioma in its early stages when it is treatable. The aim is to reduce the amount of mesothelioma that is misdiagnosed which could hinder the patient's ability to receive treatment and give cancer the chance to expand.
How is mesothelioma detected?
X-rays, CT scans and other kinds of imaging tests can aid doctors in identifying tumors or the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity and lungs. These tests may show similar symptoms to those of mesothelioma and lung cancer therefore it is important to rule them out. Doctors will also inquire about the history of an individual's asbestos exposure in order to determine how long they were exposed to asbestos and what type of asbestos they came into contact with.
A biopsy is the most conclusive method to diagnose mesothelioma and determine the type of mesothelioma that a patient has. A biopsy is a process in which a small amount fluid or tissue from the affected area is examined under microscopy. Doctors are able to perform various kinds of biopsies, such as a fine needle aspiration or a surgical biopsy. These procedures are typically performed in a medical facility.
The results of the biopsy will tell doctors what type of mesothelioma they have and whether it has mutated (or metastasized) to other organs of the body. It can also help them determine the stage of mesothelioma, which informs doctors of how advanced the disease is.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin layer of cells referred to as the pleura. These cells protect the lungs and line the chest cavity. The most likely people are to develop this kind of cancer if they've been exposed to asbestos. It can be difficult to determine if mesothelioma is a cancer because it isn't very common and the signs are not always evident.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed by a group of health care specialists referred to as a multidisciplinary group. This team consists of mesothelioma experts, X-ray experts and cancer specialists. They regularly meet to discuss test results and treatment options.
What are the symptoms?
Mesothelioma usually develops in the lining around the lungs, but it can also develop in the tissues surrounding the heart and abdomen. Mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are different diseases that can have similar symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, and shortness of breath.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs when cells expand beyond control and form a tumor, which is an abnormal mass of cancerous cells. The tumors may be benign or malignant. Cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of a cell. These changes can disrupt the normal function of cells.
The types of mesothelioma vary according to where they begin in the body and how quickly they spread. For example Pleural mesothelioma usually develops in the lining of the lungs. In this type symptoms, they include chest pain, trouble breathing and coughing. Pleural effusions are a possible symptom of mesothelioma of the pleura.
As the tumor expands mesothelioma will press on the lungs and other organs. If a patient is in the latter stages of mesothelioma, they will experience symptoms more severe than those of earlier stages. These symptoms may include a general sense of unwellness as well as chest pain and the accumulation of fluid.
The fluid that forms around the lungs is removed by doctors to ease breathing problems and chest pain. Doctors prescribe painkillers and other medicines to treat symptoms.
Patients may develop mesothelioma symptoms anywhere between 15 to 50 years after diagnosis. Because mesothelioma is so difficult to detect mesothelioma can be detected at an advanced stage.
The type, stage and location of the mesothelioma determines the symptoms that patients will experience. Patients with pleural mesothelioma are likely to experience the most frequent symptoms, which include chest pain coughing, difficulty breathing and trouble breathing. The cancer can also cause an inability to eat as well as a loss of weight and fever. Other signs include a lump on the stomach or chest or stomach, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing. Mesothelioma is categorized into three stages, and pleural mesothelioma lung cancer the symptoms of each stage vary.
What are the treatment options for mesothelioma
When patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment options vary. A doctor can prescribe chemotherapy, surgery or other treatments to control the cancer and symptoms like breathing difficulties and pain. They may also recommend palliative care, which aims to make the patient as comfortable as they can.
Doctors typically conduct a physical exam and order imaging tests to determine if there are lumps or other anomalies in the abdomen or chest. A biopsy may also be a possibility. A needle is put into the affected area to collect a small amount of either of tissue or fluid. The specimen will be sent to a laboratory for examination. The way cells appear under a microscope could aid in determining if mesothelioma, or lung cancer, is present.
Depending on the location of the tumor, surgeons might be able to eliminate it through an operation. If the tumor is situated in the pleura that surrounds the lungs, surgeons can perform an extrapleural lungectomy (EPP) and remove the affected lung as well as the pleura and diaphragm. Alternatively, they might remove a portion of the affected lung through the procedure called pleurectomy with pulmonary decortication (P/D), which has less complications, but preserves the diaphragm. P/D is commonly used to treat peritoneal and pleural cancers.
Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for mesothelioma. It makes use of drugs to kill cancerous cells. It is often combined with radiation therapy to increase its effectiveness. Some patients with mesothelioma could also undergo immunotherapy, which seeks to boost or restore the immune system's capacity to fight cancerous cells.
It can be difficult to treat mesothelioma because it is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. However, doctors can help improve quality of life by controlling symptoms through palliative treatment that includes medications to ease the pain and other symptoms.
They can also utilize methods to remove the lungs of the fluid, and relieve the pressure on the lungs. They can even use an incision in the chest to drain fluid at home for a few times per week. If the cancer comes back the doctor may suggest enrolling the patient into a clinical trial to test new treatments.